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LED's Signal?

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Old Oct 16, 2011 | 04:28 PM
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Default LED's Signal?

So I installed some HIDs the other day, (highs and lows) (Write up with pics to come) As I was doing this I installed some LED's, a 30cm strip just on the bottom of the headlight. I was going to tie them just into a 12V ignition source somewhere but I got to thinking!

Would it not be cool if those LED's went off when the signal light went out as you had it on...
So just for clarification, turn signal comes on LED stays on, turn signal goes out LED goes out. Turn signal on LED on. When the cycle is done, Turn signal off LED stays on. Just want some opinions on that. I wanted to have the LEDs as DRLs because the highs no longer act as such. (Not enough voltage to the ballast to keep the HID on) and got to thinking that might add some kinda personalization and style, an eye opener??? What do you think??

Next question is im not sure if there is a source within the fuse box or such that would provide that kind of source? Or if its even possible...I am an electrician, so I do know a lot but somewhere its getting kinda messed up in my mind. I have thought about a normally open relay. But that would make it work directly opposite to what im shooting for. LED off whenever turn signal comes on, which might still look pretty cool...However I think it would be much cooler to have it act as a DRL and a turn signal in one. Its possible with a smart relay, but im not spending that much on a relay just for that...



Opinions...ideas...comments???
 
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 08:17 PM
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bump...
 
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 10:00 PM
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I did your second idea when I had my turn signals switched on my bike... went from a three wire to a two wire setup, used the third wire to power a relay to shut off power to the second wire. Third wire was activated by the turn signal.

The only way I can think to do the first idea is to have a relay that has a delay built into it... that is that it instantly switches on but takes like 3 seconds to switch back. In this way you power the led of your drl, when you turn the turn signal on it activates the relay that shunts the led to the turn signal circuit, and then holds it there for a few seconds... if in that few seconds it does not get another pulse from the flasher it flips the led back to the DRL circuit. Perhaps you could rig up capciters to keep the relay switched, that would then recharge when the turn signal circuit flashes on, but have enough capacity to hold the circuit on until the next flash.
 
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 10:01 PM
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BTW I am not an electrician but I played one in the Air Corps.
 
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Old Oct 22, 2011 | 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by frogslinger
I did your second idea when I had my turn signals switched on my bike... went from a three wire to a two wire setup, used the third wire to power a relay to shut off power to the second wire. Third wire was activated by the turn signal.

The only way I can think to do the first idea is to have a relay that has a delay built into it... that is that it instantly switches on but takes like 3 seconds to switch back. In this way you power the led of your drl, when you turn the turn signal on it activates the relay that shunts the led to the turn signal circuit, and then holds it there for a few seconds... if in that few seconds it does not get another pulse from the flasher it flips the led back to the DRL circuit. Perhaps you could rig up capciters to keep the relay switched, that would then recharge when the turn signal circuit flashes on, but have enough capacity to hold the circuit on until the next flash.
Ya thats definitely what I ment by a smart relay. It would only need to be 1 sec delay, so for the price of a 1 sec delay relay, it just does not seem worth it to me.

I was trying to work on diagrams and such last night trying to see if I could use two relays (with 87a) of course. Trying to see if I could set it up so that there would be two power sources to turn them on, so when the signal comes on it would shut the other relay off. But again I would need a delay relay, this time delay on-on... Seems I just might have to wire it up with 1 relay so when the signal comes on the LED goes off. Not as fancy but still will provide that effect.

Still looking for options before I do that tho...
 
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Old Oct 22, 2011 | 02:04 PM
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I am thinking that you would not need a particularly large capacitor. If you use a pair of bosch relay and a couple caps per side you should be able to build it for not to much
 
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Old Oct 22, 2011 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by frogslinger
I am thinking that you would not need a particularly large capacitor. If you use a pair of bosch relay and a couple caps per side you should be able to build it for not to much
Ya true...but I have 5 pin relays sitting around so right now its free haha...I don't know what a set of small caps cost here in canada. Don't really use them much, but its worth having a look!
 
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